Politics

FORT MYERS (CBSMiami) – Former Congressman Connie Mack said Wednesday that he will not seek the seat vacated this week by former Congressman Trey Radel, according to the News-Press of Ft. Myers.

Mack’s last race was against Senator Bill Nelson in 2012 and he lost handily to Florida’s senior senator in the general election. But, District 19 is a solidly Republican district which went overwhelmingly for Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential election.

Radel resigned on Monday, almost three months after he was arrested on cocaine-possession charges in Washington, DC. He had previously vowed to stay in Congress despite the conviction, before finally relenting to the growing calls for his resignation.

Mack served four terms as a Congressman, but said family and business considerations played a large role in the decision to not return to politics, the News-Press reported.

The News Service of Florida said former Florida representative Paige Kreegel has announced a run for the seat and State Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto is also a probable candidate for the seat.